Refractive Surgery Dataset

The National Data Set for Refractive Surgery provides organisations with a list of standardised relevant and well-defined variables to be collected in laser and implant based refractive surgery and associated pre and postoperative care.

The data recommendations include spectacle test results and tests of distance, intermediate and near vision without glasses (both eyes open) before and after surgery. Organisations will also collect a standard set of patient demographics, details of any problems during and after surgery, and the patients’ rating of their satisfaction with the outcome of surgery.

Governance

The Refractive Surgery Dataset is intended as a public resource available to all. Maintenance of the content through regular review will be by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The dataset working group of the College Informatics and Audit Sub-committee is able to undertake this regular review work which should be linked to relevant College Guideline reviews.

Suppliers and end users will be able to contact The Royal College of Ophthalmologists whose Informatics and Audit Sub-committee will be responsible for receiving, logging and risk assessing requests for change. Lower risk requests will be considered at the next scheduled review as part of the expert review process. High risk requests (where patient safety is at issue) will be acted upon without delay through chairman’s action.

The Sub-committee chair (personally or by delegation) will be responsible for ensuring that any reported high risk issues are considered and acted upon promptly without awaiting a scheduled review. Where the expert group considers that change is necessary a change notice will be initiated as usual according to established practice.